CISI IISI study plan

Map the CISI Code of Conduct principles to a one-page table you write yourself, listing each principle, what it demands in practice, and one example of a breach

Define integrity, fairness, and conflicts of interest in your own words and record them in a glossary with at least 15 ethics terms

Explain the difference between rules-based and principles-based regulation and give two examples of each from the UK framework

Draft five short scenarios (e.g. accepting gifts, front-running, mis-selling) and write the correct conduct response for each with justification

Break down the client's best interests rule and identify three situations where it overrides a firm's commercial interest

List the FCA's Treating Customers Fairly outcomes and match each to a real product or service example

Describe how conflicts of interest are identified, managed, and disclosed, including the role of inducements and the banning of commission on retail investment advice

Explain whistleblowing protections and the internal and external reporting routes available to an employee

Outline the roles of the FCA, PRA, and Bank of England and state which body regulates which type of firm

Explain the statutory objectives of the FCA and give a current example of each in action

Describe the authorisation process for a firm and for an individual, including the Senior Managers and Certification Regime

Summarise the FCA's enforcement powers and the types of sanction it can impose

Explain the Financial Services and Markets Act framework and how the FCA Handbook is structured (sourcebooks, rules, guidance)

Describe the Financial Ombudsman Service, Financial Services Compensation Scheme, and how consumer redress works

Map the main UK and EU-derived regulation affecting investment firms, including MiFID II conduct and reporting obligations

Define money laundering, describe the three stages, and list the key requirements of the Money Laundering Regulations and client due diligence

Categorise the main investment products (equities, bonds, gilts, collective investment schemes, derivatives, structured products) by risk, return, and tax treatment

Explain how equities and bonds are issued, traded, and settled, including the roles of exchanges, clearing, and settlement systems

Describe the structure and regulation of collective investment schemes, including OEICs, unit trusts, and investment trusts

Explain the purpose of derivatives (futures, options, swaps) and give a hedging and a speculative example for each

Describe the trade lifecycle from order capture through execution, clearing, settlement, and custody

Explain the roles of the middle and back office and how client money and assets are protected under CASS

Summarise the main risks in investment operations (settlement risk, counterparty risk, operational risk) and the controls used to mitigate them

Explain how performance is measured and reported to clients, including the difference between money-weighted and time-weighted returns

Apply the Code of Conduct to five new scenarios drawn from real regulatory notices and write the compliant response for each

Explain the client classification rules (retail, professional, eligible counterparty) and how classification affects protections

Describe suitability and appropriateness assessments and the information that must be gathered from a client

Explain how complaints must be handled, including timescales, the role of the Financial Ombudsman Service, and root cause analysis

Complete two full timed mock exams under exam conditions and record your score per domain

Identify your three weakest syllabus areas from mock results and re-study each using your own notes

Recite from memory the key definitions, regulator roles, and conduct rules without referring to notes

Build a one-page final revision sheet covering the facts you most often got wrong